It's More Than Just Pizza at Pizza 2000

Pizza 2000 is an ideal family restaurant located on the corner in a booming business area. Patrons shopping in the Claremon shopping plaza can easily take a load off and grab something delicious to eat at Pizza 2000, or commuters getting off the Metro-North can stop in for a quick bite to eat. The location is like a lively and friendly community with Pizza 2000 at its heart.

Parking was easy to find. You can park free of charge on the street or in the Claremon shopping plaza parking lot. Walking up to the red brick building with its wide floor-to-ceiling windows, evenly spaced mounted lamp posts, and pruned shrubs was welcoming. Added bonuses were the flat screen televisions mounted on the walls inside, and the various dining options. You can dine in, order out or have your food delivered.

I sat myself at a table away from the take out area. I would have preferred to sit near a window, but there was not much to watch with it being so dark outside. Instead, I opted for the television tuned to ESPN. A few minutes after sitting and glancing at the menu, I was greeted by a friendly server smiling from ear to ear. I admitted to being a first time diner at Pizza 2000, and he looked extremely hopeful at the prospect of a new loyal customer. I was enjoying the amount of attention and commitment from the wait staff.

I started my meal off with an appetizer. I ordered the Fried Calamari ($7.99). I did not have to wait long, despite the other five tables of diners and the occasional customer ordering out. The fried calamari was a large helping, definitely fit for at least two people to eat. The dish was served plain with lemons and a cup of marinara sauce on the side. It was lightly breaded, nicely crisp on the outside and slightly tender on the inside. Alternatively, for the next visit I plan to order a lighter dish like Mozzarella Sticks ($4.99) or Fried Ravioli ($5.99).

As for my entrée, I decided to order Eggplant Parmiagiana ($12.99). It was served with garlic bread, garden salad and my choice of side pasta. The colorful garden salad was a mixture of red and green romaine lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, olives, mushrooms, tomatoes and onions. I topped it with raspberry vinaigrette. The salad was light, and had a smooth acidic taste. For my side pasta I chose cappellini in an herbal tomato sauce. I dipped the garlic bread in the sauce, and ate a few mouthfuls of the pasta. I wanted to save room for the rest of my entrée and dessert. I moved on to the Italian comfort food Eggplant Parmiagiana. The thick golden slices of eggplant layered with tomato sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheese, and a dash of fresh basil leaves on top was warm and very filling.

I finished my meal by ordering two Mini Cannolis ($0.99 each). Initially, I wanted to get a slice of the Raspberry Crumb Chessecake ($3.49), but I knew I could not eat it after eating that heavy entrée. The yummy and sweet fried pastry roll with a sweet creamy filling, bits of chocolate chips and powdered sugar sprinkled on top was a great delicious way to end.

Overall, my dinner at Pizza 2000 was very satisfying and filling. It was not just a place to eat pizza, but an establishment offering an extensive salad selection, and a variety of traditional Italian and American dishes, including options for vegetarians.